Vehicle Description
1953 MG TD Roadster
In 1949 a small group of MG leaders, headed by John Thornley, got
together to try to create a car that was acceptable to the North
American marketplace while at the same time would limit the
investment of the Nuffield Organization. Clearly it would be
impossible to completely create a new car, not only from a
financial point but from a timing standpoint as well. What was
needed was a little of the old, sprinkled with a little of the new.
Another key factor was to borrow or incorporate features found in
other Nuffield cars of the time that were more up to date than the
MG TC.
For consignment, a beautifully resorted example finished off in the
early part of the turn of the 21st century, we have an example that
is excellent. All correct, side curtains, nice convertible,
straight rust-free steel, and wonderfully tasteful colors accenting
a black exterior, and 1953 never looked so good!
Exterior
A green vertical ribbed grille leads the way on this car and is
sitting behind a rounded shiny front bumper with dual vertical
posts just for better pushing. Shiny rounded headlights hang off
either side of the radiator surround, and just next to these begins
the fenders which curve around the front wheels, move to the
running board and again with the up and down undulation of the rear
fenders. All steel bodywork is bathed in black and is the deep end
of the pool as to paint quality. Upfront a cowled hood with some
vertical air venting makes its way on its long trip back to the
windshield which is trimmed with more nice chrome. A beautifully
preserved tan canvas top complete with a set of side curtains,
snaps nearly perfectly to either side and the low swooping suicide
hinged doors. Plastic for the windows has yellowed over time but
fits the vintage bill and looks very nice and clear. On back is the
spare tire, the fuel tank and a rear curved bumper stretching from
fender to fender. Perfectly restored steel drilled wheels bathed in
silver have deep dish trim rings around the outside and a dog dish
style center hub cover with the octagonal MG badge in red. Wide
whites are on all 4 corners as well as the spare on back.
Interior
A swing of the front handled rear hinged low-slung doors, and we
are greeted with a bit of unexpected niceties in green leather tuck
and roll bucket seats with a solid bench back, and a split in the
seats for the handbrake. Even the threshold has an MG Car Company
Ltd. badge. An eyebrow curved dash, also draped in green sports a
center cluster of gauges which pepper a wood veneer curved panel.
and some large white-faced gauges with shiny bezels and clear glass
in front of the left hand drive steering wheel. This steering wheel
is white bakelite with a ban styled center 3 spoke design. Deep
green leather covers the simple small doors, and each offers up
some pouch storage and the chromed actuators. Deep green carpeting
floods the floppers and a rear behind the bench-back storage
area.
Drivetrain
A flip of the side cowl on the hood reveals a nicely restored
4-cylinder red painted engine block in 1250cc configuration. A
shiny silver valve cover is atop, and this mill is fed by 2 Su's
which are SU H2 semi downdraft carburetors. There is a 4-speed
manual transmission attached to the back and a 5.125 rear axle way
in back. Engine bay is very well done just like the remainder of
this car.
Undercarriage
All rust free, straight structural steel is underneath, and makes
up a clean undercarriage. Floorpans are the correct wooden style,
and side rockers and undersides of running boards are nearly like
new. For the suspension, independent coil springs are up front, and
leaf springs for the back. Drum brakes are on each corner.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and after a nice warmup it ran incredibly smoothly
and has great snappy pickup. It handles well and just the open road
feel of this car is worth the price of admission. I noticed the
tachometer is inoperable.
With plenty of receipts for the restoration job from the
not-too-distant past, this car presents in excellent condition. It
has a beautiful look with the black paint, and tan canvas top with
the brutish green leather interior. Mechanically it is sound, and
we are talking about a Brit from 1953, showroom condition and
priced very fair for today's market.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.